The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light casting an eerie glow over the ancient stone steps of the old temple. Akshara’s footsteps echoed in the stillness of the night as she made her way through the overgrown path leading to the temple. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—her encounter with Raj, the truth he had tried to hide, the mysterious letter, and now, the strange message urging her to meet at this very place. Every instinct screamed at her to turn back, to walk away from the storm she was stepping into. But curiosity, mingled with a deep sense of unease, kept her moving forward.

As she reached the entrance of the temple, she hesitated, taking in the dilapidated structure. The scent of incense lingered in the air, but there was something else—something darker. Akshara glanced around, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. There was no one in sight.